Message of Condolence.
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE ON THE PASSING ON OF THE FORMER
PRESIDENT OF ALGERIA H.E ABDELAZIZ BOUTEFLIKA
It is with deep sadness and sorrow that we learnt of the passing on of His Excellency Abdelaziz Bouteflika, former President of Algeria, on the 17th of September 2021.
As the President of the Organization of Africa Trade Union Unity (OATUU) and the Secretary-General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K), the former president was a brother and a friend as he was very instrumental in mainstreaming and championing for the rights and welfare of African workers.
His rich history of involvement in international affairs indeed didn’t just start whilst serving as President considering he is among the few African leaders who championed for non-alignment at a time when the world was being dichotomized into East or West. Because of his philosophy on Pan Africanism together with other leaders like Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere, the continent still remembers their African dream as they work towards a more united Africa.
The former President close working relationship with the leadership of the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) and the Algerian workers in general saw him extend the same cordial working relationship to the African workers through OATUU. For instance, whilst serving as the president of OATUU, the former president awarded me a National Order of Merit in recognition of my work towards agitating for the rights and welfare of African workers and also uniting them through OATUU. We forever remain indebted to his kind gesture and the tremendous support he accorded us as the leadership of OATUU and to all the workers on the African continent.
As the country continues in mourning this great African leader, our pra1ers go to the immediate family of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the people of Algeria.
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Francis Atwoli, NOM (DZA), CBS, EBS, MBS
SECRETARY GENERAL, COTU (K) / PRESIDENT OATUU
